Please note: This publication has been rescinded on 29 February 2000
Synopsis
The National Health and Medical Research Council commissioned the Department of Public Health and Nutrition and the Department of Geography at the University of Wollongong to undertake a review of expert opinion on the health implications of long term climate change. Two areas of particular importance to the environment and climate change are changes in the concentrations of atmospheric gases, referred to as greenhouse effect, and changes to ultraviolet radiation following damage to the ozone layer.
The objectives of the project were:
- to conduct an extensive review of the literature on the predicted extent of climatic change, the effects of that change on the physical, emotional and social health of Australians, and strategies to address the impact of climatic change;
- to conduct a survey and conference of acknowledged experts and organisation on these matters;
- to review public health programs in universities to determine the extent to which relevant material is included in research and coursework programs, and to identify gaps in these programs; and
- to identify areas in which interventions appear to be desirable, and procedures by which these interventions may be developed.
The results of the study were published in a two volume draft report.
